Section List

Teachers matter more to student achievement than any other aspect of schooling. Teachers need professional development that provides deeper knowledge, skills, and practice to successfully address reading difficulties.

• Understanding the content and methodology of research-based, explicit, structured literacy instruction

• Deep knowledge of the cognitive and language factors that shape student learning and of pedagogical detail

• Information about how to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all students

Teachers matter more to student achievement than any other aspect of schooling. Teachers need professional development that provides deeper knowledge, skills, and practice to successfully address reading difficulties.

• Understanding the content and methodology of research-based, explicit, structured literacy instruction

• Deep knowledge of the cognitive and language factors that shape student learning and of pedagogical detail

• Information about how to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all student

This required training is designed specifically for K-3 Music Teachers in Nebraska.

Nebraska State Statute 79-2607 is a core component of the Nebraska Reading Improvement Act. It mandates that the Nebraska Department of Education develop a professional learning system of evidence-based reading instruction for pre-K through 3rd grade teachers. As part of this mandate, all pre-K through 3rd grade specialists (e.g. art, music, physical education, library, technology) are required to participate in professional learning to support literacy awareness and support students’ literacy development across all district settings.

Components of this training include:

• Basic overview of the Science of Reading

• Reinforce vocabulary and language within the Art classroom

• Support students when they encounter literacy difficulties in Art

• Build background knowledge in the Art classroom

• Contribute to a school-wide culture of literacy

Teachers must stay for the duration of the training in order to be “adequately trained” by the state of Nebraska.

Lunch will NOT be provided

With the new standards for K-12 Physical Education, educators will have an opportunity to dive into changes that have been made.  Shayla Ruth, NDE’s PE/Health contact, will be present on this day and help guide teachers through the new format, key changes, and potential implications for their courses. 

Educators will be able to collaborate with other physical education teachers as they reflect on current instructional practices, discuss relevant topics in PE, and consider how their classes may evolve.  There will be both formal and informal opportunities to grow your network as a teacher!

At the end of the time, PE teachers will know what lessons and units of study are still supported in the standards, and where changes may need to be made as they prepare for adoption of the new standards.

This workshop is being held on the same day as the PK-3 PE Literacy Workshop.  The afternoon session will help ensure that teachers meet the adequately trained requirement connected to the recent legislature.  Elementary PE teachers will need to sign up for both workshops.  Lunch will be provided at the conclusion of this workshop before heading into the afternoon.

Teachers matter more to student achievement than any other aspect of schooling. Teachers need professional development that provides deeper knowledge, skills, and practice to successfully address reading difficulties.

• Understanding the content and methodology of research-based, explicit, structured literacy instruction

• Deep knowledge of the cognitive and language factors that shape student learning and of pedagogical detail

• Information about how to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all student

Dr. Caroline Buzanko will be joining us virtually in the morning to share a message on:

Building the Capacity to Keep Going: Self-Regulation, Resilience, and the Science of Persistence
Why do some students recover from setbacks, tolerate frustration, and keep trying, while others shut down, avoid, or become overwhelmed when things get hard?
In this practical three-hour workshop, you will explore the developmental foundations of self-regulation, resilience, and persistence and how these capacities work together to help students manage challenge, uncertainty, mistakes, and failure.

Rather than focusing on compliance or motivation, we will examine the underlying mechanisms that make persistence possible. Participants will learn how stress and emotion influence attention, behaviour, and learning; why regulation must often come before problem-solving; and you can effectively provide enough support for students to stay engaged without unintentionally rescuing them from the very experiences that build competence. We will also explore the critical role of mistakes and productive struggle in developing confidence and resilience.  

Leave with practical ways to:

• Recognize when behaviour reflects dysregulation, avoidance, skill gaps, or difficulty tolerating challenge.
• Support regulation without removing appropriate expectations.
• Respond to mistakes and failure in ways that strengthen learning rather than shame or avoidance.
• Build students’ tolerance for frustration, uncertainty, and productive struggle.
• How to reinforce effort, flexibility, problem-solving, and recovery.
•  Help students develop a stronger internal message that they can recover from setbacks and keep going.

Dr. Caroline Buzanko is a psychologist. Mother. Professor. International Speaker. Yoda of Anxiety. ADHD Superhero. And Changer of Lives. With nearly three decades of experience, she is a recognized expert in resilience and the social, emotional, and behavioural well-being of children and teens. In 2024, she was honoured as Alberta’s Psychologist of the Year for her exceptional contributions to the field.
Through her work, her mission is clear: to help every child unlock their potential, build confidence, and embrace resilience. Known for her dynamic, engaging style, Dr. Caroline has a knack for simplifying complex challenges and providing practical tools that make a real difference.

The afternoon will offer a collaborative environment for school counselors, school psychologists, and mental health therapists to network and share best practices. Participants will engage in interactive learning experiences and build supportive professional connections.

The section is open to everyone-administrators, teachers, counselors, school psychologists, mental health therapists, etc.

This required training is designed specifically for K-3 Media Teachers in Nebraska.

Nebraska State Statute 79-2607 is a core component of the Nebraska Reading Improvement Act. It mandates that the Nebraska Department of Education develop a professional learning system of evidence-based reading instruction for pre-K through 3rd grade teachers. As part of this mandate, all pre-K through 3rd grade specialists (e.g. art, music, physical education, library, technology) are required to participate in professional learning to support literacy awareness and support students’ literacy development across all district settings.

Components of this training include:

• Basic overview of the Science of Reading

• Reinforce vocabulary and language within the Art classroom

• Support students when they encounter literacy difficulties in Art

• Build background knowledge in the Art classroom

• Contribute to a school-wide culture of literacy

Teachers must stay for the duration of the training in order to be “adequately trained” by the state of Nebraska.

Lunch will NOT be provided